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Labour’s Māori spokesperson says the sacking of Housing Minister Phil Heatley in this week’s cabinet reshuffle shows opposition criticism of the Government’s performance in the portfolio is starting to bite.

Parekura Horomia says affordability has become a major issue, and Māori along with other low income New Zealanders are bearing the brunt of failed policies.

He says rather than using the resources of Housing New Zealand to tackle the issue, under Mr Heatley it became part of the problem.

"They are running out of land around a lot of these cities and what they are doing is taking the fringe of areas like Maraenui, Flaxmere and all these places, where there are a lot of state houses, trying to cash them up and turn them into saleable properties for those who can afford them," Mr Horomia says.

He says the government has deliberately run down the stock of state rental housing, meaning those who can’t afford to buy can be left homeless or at the mercy of the private rental market.

Davis Apiti | Maui dolphins at risk of extinction
Maui dolphins at risk of extinction. Ngati Te Wehi lodged an application with the Waitangi Tribunal to enforce a 250 nautical mile fishing exclusion zone from Raukumara near Aotea Harbour to Taranaki Point near Raglan and including Gannet Island, an important breeding site for NZ fur seals. last year - Tribal spokesman Davis Apiti says the iwi began lobbying the government for greater protection of the Maui dolphins 15 years ago when 100 dolphins remained. Now there are only 55 left

Northland roars
MARTYN BRADBURY OPINION: The magnitude of Winston Peter's shock win on Saturday can not be ignored. To turn a 9000 majority for National into a 4000 majority for NZ First is a like the American Rugby team beating the All Blacks by 30 points.

It looks like Winstonís.
WILLIE JACKSON OPINION: Well it looks like Winston Peters could steal the Northland by-election from the Government.

Privilege in an under privileged country
MARTYN BRADBURY OPINION: The controversy surrounding the case of the two St Bede's College rowing team who were suspended for breaching airport security only to have that suspension reversed by a High Court injunction, refuses to die down.